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Seven Southeast New Mexico Residents and a Texan Facing Federal Firearms and Narcotics Charges
ALBUQUERQUE – Investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lea County Drug Task Force and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force have resulted in the filing of federal charges against six individuals who reside in southeastern New Mexico and a Texan.
Five of the seven defendants were arrested yesterday and made their initial appearances in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., this morning. The other two are in state custody and will be transferred to federal custody to face the charges against them.
Dessi Timothy Burton, 22, of Odessa, Texas
Burton was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm on September 30, 2014, in Lea County. The criminal complaint alleges that Burton unlawfully possessed firearms while attempting to sell a semi-automatic pistol, two semi-automatic rifles, a shotgun and ammunition to an undercover officer. At the time Burton was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of child abuse and possession of a controlled substance.
Burton is currently in custody and faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Michael Gibson, 26, of Lovington, N.M.
Gibson was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in Lea County, N.M., in September 2014. The criminal complaint alleges that on September 10, 2014, Gibson sold approximately two ounces of methamphetamine to another person in Hobbs, N.M. Gibson allegedly displayed a handgun while negotiating the drug deal.
Gibson is currently in custody and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
Shawn Hedgecock, 43, of Carlsbad, N.M.
Hedgecock is charged in a criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of an unregistered firearm with an obliterated serial number on February 9, 2015, in Eddy County, N.M. The criminal complaint alleges that on February 9, 2015, officers went to Hedgecock’s residence for the purpose of executing state court warrants for Hedgecock’s arrest. During a consensual search of the residence, the officers allegedly seized an unregistered sawed-off shotgun and ammunition. Hedgecock was prohibited at the time from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of the following felony offenses: possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, concealing identity, and tampering with evidence.
Hedgecock is currently in state custody on other charges and will be transferred to federal custody to face the charges in the criminal complaint.
Jared Taylor Pendleton, 30, and Jasmine Tapia, 19, both of Hobbs, N.M.
The criminal complaint against Pendleton and Tapia charges Pendleton with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and charges both Pendleton and Tapia with possession of a sawed-off shotgun in Lea County. According to the criminal complaint, on October 23, 2013, Tapia assisted Pendleton in selling an unregistered sawed-off shotgun to an undercover officer. At the time, Pendleton was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of fraud and the unlawful taking of a vehicle. Pendleton was arrested yesterday. Tapia is in state custody on related charges and will be transferred to federal custody to face the charges in the criminal complaint.
Daniel Ramirez, 19, of Hobbs, N.M.
Ramirez was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number and using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on December 12, 2014, in Lea County. The criminal complaint alleges that on December 12, 2014, Ramirez was arrested for resisting officers and was found to be in possession of a semi-automatic handgun with an obliterated serial number, ammunition, approximately 11 ounces of cocaine, approximately 9.5 ounces of marijuana, and $420.00 cash.
Ramirez is currently in custody and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
Jestin White, 22, of Hobbs, N.M.
White was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute on May 19, 2015, in Lea County. The criminal complaint alleges that White sold approximately two ounces of methamphetamine to another person.
White is currently in custody and faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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